Wed, July 23'08, 7:15 pm
Convocation on 25th, and most of my ben log coming to attend. P. is already here, A. and S. on the move. D. has also moved out of her amchi Mumbai, and is on the way here. L. arrived yesterday only with a big surprise for her BF on his B'day( we're still waiting for a bite of the huge cake dear L. :) ). Sr. has left Kota for Kgp Sweet Kgp. No news of Po. though. Wonder where she is. That leaves me, a fifth year student now and an attending-convo-from-the-visitors'-gallery person with a huge dilemma: how to make the sleeping arrangements. My vella wingies don't mind throwing me out of my room, as they have repeatedly assured me. WOW! This is gonna be fun. Been waiting for this a long time.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
D.O.
This appeared in the Times Of India, Tuesday, August 14, 2007, for their Lead India initiative. I am putting it up here partly because I think everyone should look at it again, and partly because I can't store the paper anymore.
D.O.
Two simple letters.
Place them side by side however,
and they form a word potent enough
to turn a mass of people into a nation.
Do.
The last time we decided to Do or Die
it changed the map of the world. Today,
the eyes of the world are on us again.
So what are we going to do?
How are we going to turn from a land
of philosophers into a nation of do-ers?
Are we going to keep thinking about
what we should be doing or do
something about what we're thinking?
Are we going to simply shrug our
shoulders, blame our infrastructure, our
bureaucracy and our political system?
Or are we going to roll up our sleeves,
get up and actually do something
about it?
The truth is this.
Thinking can happen from an armchair.
But doing must happen on your feet.
Thinking may be a great way of
getting things started. But doing is the
only way to get things done.
And let's face it. You are never really
caught in a traffic jam.
You are the traffic jam.
Today we are in our 60th year of
independence. That works out to more than half a century.
And we're still happy being called
a potential superpower, an emerging
economy or a sleeping tiger?
THIS MUST CHANGE.
AND IT'S ONLY POSSIBLE IF SOME OF US SEIZE
THE DAY AND DARE TO BE THE CHANGE.
So let's stop basking in our glorious
past or daydreaming about our great
future. Let's start by dominating today.
And domination starts with DO.
Place them side by side however,
and they form a word potent enough
to turn a mass of people into a nation.
Do.
The last time we decided to Do or Die
it changed the map of the world. Today,
the eyes of the world are on us again.
So what are we going to do?
How are we going to turn from a land
of philosophers into a nation of do-ers?
Are we going to keep thinking about
what we should be doing or do
something about what we're thinking?
Are we going to simply shrug our
shoulders, blame our infrastructure, our
bureaucracy and our political system?
Or are we going to roll up our sleeves,
get up and actually do something
about it?
The truth is this.
Thinking can happen from an armchair.
But doing must happen on your feet.
Thinking may be a great way of
getting things started. But doing is the
only way to get things done.
And let's face it. You are never really
caught in a traffic jam.
You are the traffic jam.
Today we are in our 60th year of
independence. That works out to more than half a century.
And we're still happy being called
a potential superpower, an emerging
economy or a sleeping tiger?
THIS MUST CHANGE.
AND IT'S ONLY POSSIBLE IF SOME OF US SEIZE
THE DAY AND DARE TO BE THE CHANGE.
So let's stop basking in our glorious
past or daydreaming about our great
future. Let's start by dominating today.
And domination starts with DO.
The Power of Suggestion
It's almost official. Patients with serious illnesses show signs of improving health when they believe that the sugar pill they are taking is actually a new miracle medicine. Scientists call this the power of suggestion. But of course, we've known it all along. Take the reverse case. Consider hypochondriacs. Someone tells them that they don't look so good, and they'll actually start feeling down and ill. They'll go to a doctor, who, if he/she knows their medical history, will give them some sugar pills and they'll start feeling better. It's not really their fault, but don't we make so much fun of such people?
We see it in practice daily, this awesome power of suggestion. Two very close friends will suddenly start feeling differently for each other when their other common friends tell them that perhaps, maybe, probably, definitely, they like each other, or, even better, the other person loves them. Classic matchmaking. Amazing.
A dress in a shop. You pass by without giving it a second glance. But someone suddenly says,"Hey! That's a nice dress." and you suddenly realize, "Hey! It is!"
A new song. You hear it once. It's okay. Then you meet someone and they are completely in love with this song. The next time you hear it, you're like,"That's a nice song! How come I didn't notice it before?!"
A dress in a shop. You pass by without giving it a second glance. But someone suddenly says,"Hey! That's a nice dress." and you suddenly realize, "Hey! It is!"
A new song. You hear it once. It's okay. Then you meet someone and they are completely in love with this song. The next time you hear it, you're like,"That's a nice song! How come I didn't notice it before?!"
A guy/girl you've been 'just' friends with for a very long time, and honest to God, they're nice, but you don't look at them that way. Then somebody comes along and tells you what they like in them, and suddenly, you start liking them too. Or, someone you really think you love, and then your very close friend tells you that the person has so many faults, and you realize, "How have I been living with person for so long?!" I'm sounding repetitive now, right?
We can't escape this power. We're either the suggestor or the suggestee, for lack of better words. So here I am, suggesting this to whoever bothers to read all this: this is such a nice blog. Why don't you leave some nice comments here? It will give me such a nicey-nice feeling if you did. :) hehe
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Story of a Princess-6
They would be trying out their strength at the bow in exactly one week. Till then father had arranged for them to be involved in activities like hunting, sight-seeing, etc. to keep them from getting bored. Also, I suspect he wanted to delay his own disappointment as much as possible. He seemed to have grown somewhat fond of them. It was natural for anyone to like them, but my father was not just anyone. He was my father, and I could not help feeling a pang of jealousy for these outsiders.
Anyhow, I met them sometimes in the gardens. We made a lively threesome, when we were sure of our privacy, squabbling over every issue under the sun. That is, I and Lakshman squabbled, Ram tried his best to maintain his composure and his wise demeanor, but we usually managed to pull him in. It wasn't so difficult, given my somewhat radical views and Lakshman's temper, and Ram's own somewhat rigid sense of right and wrong. Our discussions usually left all three of us shaken at the end.
R.: Tomorrow.
I: What?
R.: Tomorrow all this ends.
Lakshman suddenly became serious. I was still not getting it.
I: What ends?
L.: Our friendship, what else?
I: Why? Have you decided not to break the bow after all?
R.: You know that's not possible.
I: Yes. The bow can't be left for Ravan to use.
I used to love taunting him like this, 'cos he could not protest this in front of his younger brother. Lakshman had once commented, " This is the first time I am seeing a girl making a guy blush." But today Ram didn't take the bait. I was confused. I looked from one to the other.
R.: After marriage, a girl is expected to behave in a certain way with her in-laws. You cannot joke and jump there as you do here.
I: Do you think I behave this way with everyone? You are the first real friends I've ever had.
Ram and Lakshman looked at each other.
L.: What he means is that you won't even be able to do that with us.
I: Why?
L.: Hasn't anybody told you anything yet?
I: You forget, you are talking to a motherless child.
L.: I am sorry. I didn't mean that.
I: I know. It's okay.
L.: See, after marriage, you'll become my Bhabhi. Our relation will become a lot more formal.
R.: And you will become my wife and the future queen of Ayodhya. There will be a lot of expectations from us. We'll be required to behave in a certain way.....
I: I get it. Tomorrow it all ends.
The cheerful atmosphere seemed to have evaporated. We all looked at the setting sun. Soon it would be time for me to leave.
R.: There's one more thing that I need to tell you, and it's important that I do this before tomorrow.
I: Go ahead.
R.: While we were in Jansthan, I and Lakshman decided that the only way to bring peace to those people was to uproot the might of Ravan. But even with the entire strength of Ayodhya, it might take around 5-10 years to bring this about.
I: So your point is...?
R.: My point is: would you be willing to marry someone who would be absent from your life for such a long time? I might not be able to give you the bliss of family life at all, 'cos I will not return till Ravan is defeated.
I: Oh! You mean, you plan to leave me behind?
R.: Why should it be otherwise? Battlefield is no place for.....oh! I am sorry. We've argued over that before.
I: Good, you remember! Now, I will give you two choices: If you decide to string that bow tomorrow, rest assured that I will accompany you every step of your life. I will walk with you through Hell if that's what it takes to bring Ravan down. If you think that that's not the way a Queen should behave, then you are free not to string the bow. I will personally go one night and destroy it so nobody can use it, and that will complete this part of your mission.
R.: No. You are right. A Queen has as much responsibility towards her people as a King, and slightly more, because she's the one who guides the king in times of darkness. My Lady, I would be honored to have you as my Queen.
L.: She reminds me of mother Sumitra. They're fire, both of them. But tell me this Sita, who will rule the kingdom in the absence of Ram? And Ram, wouldn't it be better that she does? She would be much better than me or Bharat or Shatrughan.
R.: Yes she would. But it is her choice. Either of you or Bharat would be good for the job, in case she decides not to. Shatrughan is too young.
L.: I am not leaving your side. You really think you could do it on your own?
I: And neither am I. I happen to know some medicine, in addition to archery. You will find me useful in your task.
R.: So, now it only remains to convince Bharat somehow.
He said it with such a straight face that we started laughing. Of course, it would not be an easy task convincing Bharat. But we could worry about that later, when time came.
Anyhow, I met them sometimes in the gardens. We made a lively threesome, when we were sure of our privacy, squabbling over every issue under the sun. That is, I and Lakshman squabbled, Ram tried his best to maintain his composure and his wise demeanor, but we usually managed to pull him in. It wasn't so difficult, given my somewhat radical views and Lakshman's temper, and Ram's own somewhat rigid sense of right and wrong. Our discussions usually left all three of us shaken at the end.
R.: Tomorrow.
I: What?
R.: Tomorrow all this ends.
Lakshman suddenly became serious. I was still not getting it.
I: What ends?
L.: Our friendship, what else?
I: Why? Have you decided not to break the bow after all?
R.: You know that's not possible.
I: Yes. The bow can't be left for Ravan to use.
I used to love taunting him like this, 'cos he could not protest this in front of his younger brother. Lakshman had once commented, " This is the first time I am seeing a girl making a guy blush." But today Ram didn't take the bait. I was confused. I looked from one to the other.
R.: After marriage, a girl is expected to behave in a certain way with her in-laws. You cannot joke and jump there as you do here.
I: Do you think I behave this way with everyone? You are the first real friends I've ever had.
Ram and Lakshman looked at each other.
L.: What he means is that you won't even be able to do that with us.
I: Why?
L.: Hasn't anybody told you anything yet?
I: You forget, you are talking to a motherless child.
L.: I am sorry. I didn't mean that.
I: I know. It's okay.
L.: See, after marriage, you'll become my Bhabhi. Our relation will become a lot more formal.
R.: And you will become my wife and the future queen of Ayodhya. There will be a lot of expectations from us. We'll be required to behave in a certain way.....
I: I get it. Tomorrow it all ends.
The cheerful atmosphere seemed to have evaporated. We all looked at the setting sun. Soon it would be time for me to leave.
R.: There's one more thing that I need to tell you, and it's important that I do this before tomorrow.
I: Go ahead.
R.: While we were in Jansthan, I and Lakshman decided that the only way to bring peace to those people was to uproot the might of Ravan. But even with the entire strength of Ayodhya, it might take around 5-10 years to bring this about.
I: So your point is...?
R.: My point is: would you be willing to marry someone who would be absent from your life for such a long time? I might not be able to give you the bliss of family life at all, 'cos I will not return till Ravan is defeated.
I: Oh! You mean, you plan to leave me behind?
R.: Why should it be otherwise? Battlefield is no place for.....oh! I am sorry. We've argued over that before.
I: Good, you remember! Now, I will give you two choices: If you decide to string that bow tomorrow, rest assured that I will accompany you every step of your life. I will walk with you through Hell if that's what it takes to bring Ravan down. If you think that that's not the way a Queen should behave, then you are free not to string the bow. I will personally go one night and destroy it so nobody can use it, and that will complete this part of your mission.
R.: No. You are right. A Queen has as much responsibility towards her people as a King, and slightly more, because she's the one who guides the king in times of darkness. My Lady, I would be honored to have you as my Queen.
L.: She reminds me of mother Sumitra. They're fire, both of them. But tell me this Sita, who will rule the kingdom in the absence of Ram? And Ram, wouldn't it be better that she does? She would be much better than me or Bharat or Shatrughan.
R.: Yes she would. But it is her choice. Either of you or Bharat would be good for the job, in case she decides not to. Shatrughan is too young.
L.: I am not leaving your side. You really think you could do it on your own?
I: And neither am I. I happen to know some medicine, in addition to archery. You will find me useful in your task.
R.: So, now it only remains to convince Bharat somehow.
He said it with such a straight face that we started laughing. Of course, it would not be an easy task convincing Bharat. But we could worry about that later, when time came.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Just Like That
Is it really wrong to hope for some sanity in your life? My mind is in turmoil and I don't even know the reason. There's some sort of sadness and don't know the source. I think it's time for a trip home. Even worms need their little holes to crawl into. Why should people be any different?
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Story of a Princess-5
They finally reached Mithila. I looked on from one of the palace windows as my father welcomed them. They were dressed like jungle-folk, but their bearing told me that they were the princes I had heard so many stories about. Mithila had been buzzing with excitement ever since the news of their coming reached here. Vishwamithra looked like an old man drunk with the wine of youth. There was a spring in his step and a sparkle in his eyes. The younger brother was about my age, and his face shone with the pride of a boy who had just bagged his first buck. Though in his case the 'buck' was probably a rakshas or two, as I had been told by my maids. Nevertheless, he was still much a boy. It was the older brother who really had everybody's attention. He was not the handsomest guy I'd ever seen. No. That would be his brother, once he grew up. There was no pride on his face at his recent feats. His face portrayed calm and serenity, but there was a pain hidden deep in his eyes, and suddenly I realized, he was looking right at me. I saw my father turning around to follow his gaze, and suddenly I was running, running back to my room to still my trembling heart.
"So, did you like him?", it was the Spirit again.
I: Go away.
S.: Yes. I think I'll do that. I think I'll take a stroll in the garden, smell the flowers, feel the grass....
I: Can you actually do that? Smell and feel, I mean?
S.: Why shouldn't I?
I: I mean, you are not, y'know, solid. You are like a ghost-thing, a spirit.
S.: Girl, I am the flower, I am the smell, I am the grass, I am the breeze, I am the trembling of your heart, I am the gaze of his eyes, I am the pain in his heart, I am the fall of his feet on the grass.....
I: He's in the garden?!
S.: Here I am explaining to her the greatest mystery of life and she's only interested in a blue-colored boy! Why, yes. He is in the garden.
I: Why didn't you tell me before?
I quickly changed into my disguise and ran out. I found him at the deep end of the garden with his brother. They were walking and discussing something. He looked extremely disturbed. I sneaked closer to listen.
R.: It's just that, how can I marry a girl knowing that my heart belongs to another?
I: Oh no!!
L.: You don't even know who this girl is! You just saw her once and then she disappeared. She might be anyone. She might even be married!
R.: Don't say that!
L.: I am sorry brother, but you know that we have to destroy Shiva's bow, and you are the only one who can do that.
I: So that's why you came here. For the bow! Not for me. For the bow.
I was so angry, I got careless. It was only the slightest sound, but they had been living in the jungle for months, where they probably had to be on the alert always for survival. They started searching around. I had no choice but to step out, to avoid being exposed.
I(bowing low): My lords, is something wrong?
L.: We heard someone. We thought someone was hiding around, but it was probably you. What are you doing here anyways? Has the King sent any message?
I: No, my lord.
L.: Then?
I: The princess asked me to fetch a particular flower, that she's very fond of, from the garden. I came here to get it.
L.: I don't see any flowers in this part of the garden. There're only fruit trees here. Tell me, why are you here?
I was so angry I was finding it difficult to keep my eyes downcast, as is wont of servants.
I: I am new here. I don't know my way around. I am sorry if I disturbed you. I'll go now.
L.: I don't think so.....
For the first time, he spoke," Leave her be, Lakshman." We both heard the tremor in his voice and looked at him. He looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
R.: Forgive my brother, Lady. Our experiences in the forest have made him too cautious.
I: Yes. I have heard stories about you, how you went to the jungle to fight the rakshasas, but they were never complete. If I might be so bold to ask, what happened out there?
L.: Don't you have an errand to run?
I: Yes. Yes, I am sorry. I'll leave now.
I was hurt, and it must have shown on my face because both of them spoke at the same time,
R.: Please, wait!
L.: I'm sorry.
And for the next half an hour or so, they told me of their adventures in Jansthan and the forest, how the people were terrorized by some rakshasas and how Vishwamithra came to their father to ask for a loan of his son, Ram.
L.: Father did not want Ram to go, him being his favorite 'n all, but he'd given his word. Then mother Sumitra told him that it was his duty as the king to protect his people. And she said to me," Lakshman, go with your brother." No hesitation, no motherly tears. Just like that.
R.: Mother Sumitra is a very strong woman. She is fire. It's a pity that society does not allow a woman to rule a kingdom.
L.: Yes. She would have made a great leader, especially now.
I: Why now?
L.: Well, Ravan is spreading his tentacles wider now, isn't he? He plans to annex all of Aryavart. Already he has started terrorizing the poor jungle-folk and the smaller kingdoms. His rakshasas sneak up in the dead of the night, burn entire villages and go away.
R.: We reached one such village in the morning. The cottages were still smouldering. There was stench of burning flesh all over. Most of the people had not been able to escape their burning homes, and they were the lucky ones.
I: Why?
They looked at each other. I knew they were debating whether to tell me all of it or not.Then Ram spoke,"Some people escaped the fire. They were captured and taken to the forest. We found their tortured and mutilated bodies some distance away." There was so much anguish in his eyes as if he could somehow physically feel their pain. And somehow, through him, I could too. It was so intense I found myself crying.
I: So did you capture the culprits?
L.: No we didn't. We killed them in battle.
I: Just the two of you?
L.: Well, I was all for it. But Ram here decided to organize the villagers and forest-folk into a small fighting unit. We sent out messengers to everyone to meet up at Jansthan. They were hesitant initially, afraid that we would not win, that the rakshasas would take revenge on them afterwards. But eventually most of them came.
R.: They had been trampled on for too long. They had totally lost faith in themselves. Fear does that to people. Our biggest challenge was to remove that fear. That's why organizing them to fight back was essential. We might have fought the rakshasas alone. We might even have won. But new rakshasas would have come as soon as we left, knowing that the people were weak and afraid. But now they will think twice before attacking any village, because they know that the villagers and jungle-folk would unite immediately to drive them out of their holes and slay them.
L.: You should have seen the change that came over them. Suddenly those meek and trembling men and women lost their fear. They had a new determination in their eyes. The very thought of fighting for their freedom seemed to have freed them.
I: I should have liked to have been there.
L.: And what would you have done there?
I: Fought alongside you, of course. Didn't you say the women fought too?
L.: The women took care of the food and the injured. The battlefield is not meant for them.
I: The battlefield is not meant for anyone, man or woman. But when someone attacks your freedom, you have to fight back the best you can, otherwise you may lose it forever. You cannot afford to wait for someone else to come and save the day.
R(in a strange voice): Who are you, Lady? No common servant-girl can have the guts you have, talking to two strange men so frankly, nor the wisdom, saying the things you have said.
L.: Nor would she carry around a dagger hidden in her clothes!
With that he cut the string holding the dagger which fell down, and tried to hold my hands behind me. Now, he could have been rude to me and I would have forgiven him, but no man touches me. No one. With one move I threw him down and jumped some distance away. All this while Ram hadn't said a word. I addressed him now.
I: Prince Ram, I am not your enemy. But may I count you as my friend?
R.: Friends don't come under disguises, Princess. But since you have asked for our friendship, you shall certainly have it.
L.: What?! You're the Princess Sita?! But why the disguise in your own palace?
I: Think.
R.: I guess you wanted to know what sort of people we were. But why? It's not like you have a choice over who you are going to marry. Those are the rules of the competition!
I: Don't I?
R.: But how? I don't see the good King Janak backing out of his promise if someone manages to string the bow.
I: Yes. If.
L.: Hey! Stop being so mysterious now! Tell us. You said we were friends.
I: The question is: Do you really want to know? Do you really want to string the bow?
L.: What can be so difficult about stringing a bow?
I: Why don't you give it a try now? It's getting dark. The temple would be empty.
L.: Are you challenging us?
I: If you want to take it as a challenge...
We went to the temple. It was dark. We entered via the back entrance even though the front was always kept open, just to avoid being noticed. Lakshman went ahead to look at the bow. I and Ram stayed behind.
R.: Y'know, before I came here, my sole intention was to destroy the bow so that it could not be used by anyone for wrong purposes.
I: Never mind if you got a bride for your efforts?!
R.: Yes, but that was till yesterday. But when I saw you at the palace window today, and after talking to you......I think you are a remarkable woman....but of course, only if you wish to.....
There was a long pause.
R.: Of course, if you don't want.....
I: The bow can't be destroyed unless it is strung.
It was as if three people started breathing simultaneously. Lakshman started laughing. I sensed Ram was blushing and so was I. I threw Lakshman a reproachful look.
L.: Hey! You eavesdropped on us too!!
And then we all laughed.
R.: So how do you string the bow? Have you tried, Lakshman?
L.: Did you really think I would?
I showed them how to string the bow, and then how to destroy it. When I came back to my room, I found it filled with a very beautiful fragrance. It felt as if the Spirit was smiling at me.
"So, did you like him?", it was the Spirit again.
I: Go away.
S.: Yes. I think I'll do that. I think I'll take a stroll in the garden, smell the flowers, feel the grass....
I: Can you actually do that? Smell and feel, I mean?
S.: Why shouldn't I?
I: I mean, you are not, y'know, solid. You are like a ghost-thing, a spirit.
S.: Girl, I am the flower, I am the smell, I am the grass, I am the breeze, I am the trembling of your heart, I am the gaze of his eyes, I am the pain in his heart, I am the fall of his feet on the grass.....
I: He's in the garden?!
S.: Here I am explaining to her the greatest mystery of life and she's only interested in a blue-colored boy! Why, yes. He is in the garden.
I: Why didn't you tell me before?
I quickly changed into my disguise and ran out. I found him at the deep end of the garden with his brother. They were walking and discussing something. He looked extremely disturbed. I sneaked closer to listen.
R.: It's just that, how can I marry a girl knowing that my heart belongs to another?
I: Oh no!!
L.: You don't even know who this girl is! You just saw her once and then she disappeared. She might be anyone. She might even be married!
R.: Don't say that!
L.: I am sorry brother, but you know that we have to destroy Shiva's bow, and you are the only one who can do that.
I: So that's why you came here. For the bow! Not for me. For the bow.
I was so angry, I got careless. It was only the slightest sound, but they had been living in the jungle for months, where they probably had to be on the alert always for survival. They started searching around. I had no choice but to step out, to avoid being exposed.
I(bowing low): My lords, is something wrong?
L.: We heard someone. We thought someone was hiding around, but it was probably you. What are you doing here anyways? Has the King sent any message?
I: No, my lord.
L.: Then?
I: The princess asked me to fetch a particular flower, that she's very fond of, from the garden. I came here to get it.
L.: I don't see any flowers in this part of the garden. There're only fruit trees here. Tell me, why are you here?
I was so angry I was finding it difficult to keep my eyes downcast, as is wont of servants.
I: I am new here. I don't know my way around. I am sorry if I disturbed you. I'll go now.
L.: I don't think so.....
For the first time, he spoke," Leave her be, Lakshman." We both heard the tremor in his voice and looked at him. He looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
R.: Forgive my brother, Lady. Our experiences in the forest have made him too cautious.
I: Yes. I have heard stories about you, how you went to the jungle to fight the rakshasas, but they were never complete. If I might be so bold to ask, what happened out there?
L.: Don't you have an errand to run?
I: Yes. Yes, I am sorry. I'll leave now.
I was hurt, and it must have shown on my face because both of them spoke at the same time,
R.: Please, wait!
L.: I'm sorry.
And for the next half an hour or so, they told me of their adventures in Jansthan and the forest, how the people were terrorized by some rakshasas and how Vishwamithra came to their father to ask for a loan of his son, Ram.
L.: Father did not want Ram to go, him being his favorite 'n all, but he'd given his word. Then mother Sumitra told him that it was his duty as the king to protect his people. And she said to me," Lakshman, go with your brother." No hesitation, no motherly tears. Just like that.
R.: Mother Sumitra is a very strong woman. She is fire. It's a pity that society does not allow a woman to rule a kingdom.
L.: Yes. She would have made a great leader, especially now.
I: Why now?
L.: Well, Ravan is spreading his tentacles wider now, isn't he? He plans to annex all of Aryavart. Already he has started terrorizing the poor jungle-folk and the smaller kingdoms. His rakshasas sneak up in the dead of the night, burn entire villages and go away.
R.: We reached one such village in the morning. The cottages were still smouldering. There was stench of burning flesh all over. Most of the people had not been able to escape their burning homes, and they were the lucky ones.
I: Why?
They looked at each other. I knew they were debating whether to tell me all of it or not.Then Ram spoke,"Some people escaped the fire. They were captured and taken to the forest. We found their tortured and mutilated bodies some distance away." There was so much anguish in his eyes as if he could somehow physically feel their pain. And somehow, through him, I could too. It was so intense I found myself crying.
I: So did you capture the culprits?
L.: No we didn't. We killed them in battle.
I: Just the two of you?
L.: Well, I was all for it. But Ram here decided to organize the villagers and forest-folk into a small fighting unit. We sent out messengers to everyone to meet up at Jansthan. They were hesitant initially, afraid that we would not win, that the rakshasas would take revenge on them afterwards. But eventually most of them came.
R.: They had been trampled on for too long. They had totally lost faith in themselves. Fear does that to people. Our biggest challenge was to remove that fear. That's why organizing them to fight back was essential. We might have fought the rakshasas alone. We might even have won. But new rakshasas would have come as soon as we left, knowing that the people were weak and afraid. But now they will think twice before attacking any village, because they know that the villagers and jungle-folk would unite immediately to drive them out of their holes and slay them.
L.: You should have seen the change that came over them. Suddenly those meek and trembling men and women lost their fear. They had a new determination in their eyes. The very thought of fighting for their freedom seemed to have freed them.
I: I should have liked to have been there.
L.: And what would you have done there?
I: Fought alongside you, of course. Didn't you say the women fought too?
L.: The women took care of the food and the injured. The battlefield is not meant for them.
I: The battlefield is not meant for anyone, man or woman. But when someone attacks your freedom, you have to fight back the best you can, otherwise you may lose it forever. You cannot afford to wait for someone else to come and save the day.
R(in a strange voice): Who are you, Lady? No common servant-girl can have the guts you have, talking to two strange men so frankly, nor the wisdom, saying the things you have said.
L.: Nor would she carry around a dagger hidden in her clothes!
With that he cut the string holding the dagger which fell down, and tried to hold my hands behind me. Now, he could have been rude to me and I would have forgiven him, but no man touches me. No one. With one move I threw him down and jumped some distance away. All this while Ram hadn't said a word. I addressed him now.
I: Prince Ram, I am not your enemy. But may I count you as my friend?
R.: Friends don't come under disguises, Princess. But since you have asked for our friendship, you shall certainly have it.
L.: What?! You're the Princess Sita?! But why the disguise in your own palace?
I: Think.
R.: I guess you wanted to know what sort of people we were. But why? It's not like you have a choice over who you are going to marry. Those are the rules of the competition!
I: Don't I?
R.: But how? I don't see the good King Janak backing out of his promise if someone manages to string the bow.
I: Yes. If.
L.: Hey! Stop being so mysterious now! Tell us. You said we were friends.
I: The question is: Do you really want to know? Do you really want to string the bow?
L.: What can be so difficult about stringing a bow?
I: Why don't you give it a try now? It's getting dark. The temple would be empty.
L.: Are you challenging us?
I: If you want to take it as a challenge...
We went to the temple. It was dark. We entered via the back entrance even though the front was always kept open, just to avoid being noticed. Lakshman went ahead to look at the bow. I and Ram stayed behind.
R.: Y'know, before I came here, my sole intention was to destroy the bow so that it could not be used by anyone for wrong purposes.
I: Never mind if you got a bride for your efforts?!
R.: Yes, but that was till yesterday. But when I saw you at the palace window today, and after talking to you......I think you are a remarkable woman....but of course, only if you wish to.....
There was a long pause.
R.: Of course, if you don't want.....
I: The bow can't be destroyed unless it is strung.
It was as if three people started breathing simultaneously. Lakshman started laughing. I sensed Ram was blushing and so was I. I threw Lakshman a reproachful look.
L.: Hey! You eavesdropped on us too!!
And then we all laughed.
R.: So how do you string the bow? Have you tried, Lakshman?
L.: Did you really think I would?
I showed them how to string the bow, and then how to destroy it. When I came back to my room, I found it filled with a very beautiful fragrance. It felt as if the Spirit was smiling at me.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Story of a Princess-4
They came and failed, all those great, strong warriors. There was hardly any in the whole of Aryavart who didn't try. They would all come twirling their moustaches, bragging of their bravery and strength, and leave telling my father of the impossibility of the task. And I would have to sit through all of this in the upper balcony on my father's orders and also of the Spirit's. "Otherwise how would you know if the person is suited for you or not?", the Spirit would say. I didn't even know what kind of a person was 'suited' for me. All I did know was that none of those princes were. They were loud, proud insolent braggarts who barely showed respect to my father. I shuddered to think how they must treat their subjects.
The Spirit, as per her habit, suggested a way to find out. So I found myself dressed like a servant, going round the palace and the gardens after my suitors. I even went outside the palace gates on some occasions. What I saw, what I heard, changed my life forever.
Most of them did not give a damn about their sub-ordinates. Sometimes, they were only rude. At other times, they would have their servants beaten up for minor mistakes, or misbehave with the female servants. The best of them were neutral towards them, neither kind nor cruel. Since I was dressed as a servant, I myself came too close to danger sometimes. The only thing that saved me was that I was dressed as a servant of my own kingdom, and so they did not have any authority over me.
I remember an incident when one of my own servants came to deliver a message from the king, my father, to one of my suitors. He was in the garden at the time and I hid behind a tree, for fear of being identified. When the girl turned around to leave, the guy caught her hand. The poor girl was petrified, and so was I. What should I do? If I tried to help her, I would be exposed. It would mean embarrassment for my father and the royal house. But if I didn't, would I ever be able to forgive myself? I covered my face and stepped out of the shadows. The prince was so amazed by my sudden appearance that he forgot to hold on tight to the girl's hand and she ran away. I then bowed low and told him that the king wanted to see him immediately. That saved both of us, though my father did ask me later if I knew a servant-girl who was dressed in orange and who covered her face all the time. Apparently, she had played a joke on our guest who was not very amused.
Dressed as a servant of my own palace, I chatted with the servant-girls who came from other kingdoms. I got to know their customs and traditions. Some were the same as my own, and some were entirely different. I sometimes coaxed them to talk about their masters, and they would tell me tales that would chill my heart or make me double up with laughter. It would always become impossible for me to picture that man as my husband after any such conversation.
While digging up the pasts of my suitors, I also learnt about my own kingdom. I learnt about the problems and difficulties faced by my people and understood how the laws of the land affected their lives. I had known Nyay from the point of view of the King. Now I came to know of it from that of the people. I also understood the responsibility of the King to protect his people. This I learned from a very interesting conversation with a girl whose sister was a servant in the royal house of Ayodhya. I'll call her Lata.
Lata: She is an amazing woman. My sister told me about her.
I: Who?
L.: Sumitra. The second wife of the king Dashrath of Ayodhya.
I: What about her?
L.: Imagine the fire of a thousand suns. That's what she is.
I: You mean she's very beautiful?
L.: She is. But she's fire.
I: Don't be so cryptic. Explain in detail.
L.: Well, apparently a sage came to Dashrath's court to ask for his son Ram, in order to get rid of some terrible Rakshasas in the forest where he lives.
I: What are Rakshasas?
L.: I don't really know. Never seen one myself. But from what I've heard, they are terrible creatures who eat the flesh of humans. They have no pity, no remorse. Wherever they go, dead and mutilated bodies pile up as high as the sky. Obviously, Dashrath was very reluctant to send his most beloved son out on a mission like that. When Sumitra heard, she went to him, ablaze with indignition. She not only got him to send Ram with the sage, but also ordered her own son Lakshman to accompany his brother, saying that it is the duty of the kings to protect their people. Lakshman must have been, what, 15 years old at the time? And she didn't flinch, not for a second. I daresay, if Ram and Lakshman had not been allowed to go, she would have taken up bow and arrow herself and gone off.
I: So did Ram and Lakshman succeed in their task?
L.: Well, both the princes were very brave.....
I: You mean they died?
L.: No. I mean that they might be very brave, but they are only boys, and the rakshasas are very strong.
I: So? (Somehow this conversation was really scaring me)
L.: So I don't really know the end of the story, nor can I predict it. I've heard snatches here and there, about them fighting a couple of rakshasas, but that's it. If you want to know the whole story, just wait four more days.
I: Why? Is your sister coming to Mithila?
L.: No. But the princes are.
Later
I: 'fire of a thousand suns', huh?
Spirit: I am with everyone. Some listen to me more than others. Like Sumitra.
I: And what exactly are these rakshasas?
S.: Humans, like you, but so corrupted by evil that they barely resemble who they're supposed to be.
I: Do they really eat human flesh?
S.: Some do. They believe that it makes them stronger. Otherwise, they just slaughter entire villages for fun. The forest-folk are terrified of them. That's why the sage Vishwamithra went to Dashrath for help.
I: So, did the princes succeed?
S.(smiling): Why don't you wait four days? I think Vishwamithra intends Ram to try out Shiva's bow.
I could feel my cheek burning again.
The Spirit, as per her habit, suggested a way to find out. So I found myself dressed like a servant, going round the palace and the gardens after my suitors. I even went outside the palace gates on some occasions. What I saw, what I heard, changed my life forever.
Most of them did not give a damn about their sub-ordinates. Sometimes, they were only rude. At other times, they would have their servants beaten up for minor mistakes, or misbehave with the female servants. The best of them were neutral towards them, neither kind nor cruel. Since I was dressed as a servant, I myself came too close to danger sometimes. The only thing that saved me was that I was dressed as a servant of my own kingdom, and so they did not have any authority over me.
I remember an incident when one of my own servants came to deliver a message from the king, my father, to one of my suitors. He was in the garden at the time and I hid behind a tree, for fear of being identified. When the girl turned around to leave, the guy caught her hand. The poor girl was petrified, and so was I. What should I do? If I tried to help her, I would be exposed. It would mean embarrassment for my father and the royal house. But if I didn't, would I ever be able to forgive myself? I covered my face and stepped out of the shadows. The prince was so amazed by my sudden appearance that he forgot to hold on tight to the girl's hand and she ran away. I then bowed low and told him that the king wanted to see him immediately. That saved both of us, though my father did ask me later if I knew a servant-girl who was dressed in orange and who covered her face all the time. Apparently, she had played a joke on our guest who was not very amused.
Dressed as a servant of my own palace, I chatted with the servant-girls who came from other kingdoms. I got to know their customs and traditions. Some were the same as my own, and some were entirely different. I sometimes coaxed them to talk about their masters, and they would tell me tales that would chill my heart or make me double up with laughter. It would always become impossible for me to picture that man as my husband after any such conversation.
While digging up the pasts of my suitors, I also learnt about my own kingdom. I learnt about the problems and difficulties faced by my people and understood how the laws of the land affected their lives. I had known Nyay from the point of view of the King. Now I came to know of it from that of the people. I also understood the responsibility of the King to protect his people. This I learned from a very interesting conversation with a girl whose sister was a servant in the royal house of Ayodhya. I'll call her Lata.
Lata: She is an amazing woman. My sister told me about her.
I: Who?
L.: Sumitra. The second wife of the king Dashrath of Ayodhya.
I: What about her?
L.: Imagine the fire of a thousand suns. That's what she is.
I: You mean she's very beautiful?
L.: She is. But she's fire.
I: Don't be so cryptic. Explain in detail.
L.: Well, apparently a sage came to Dashrath's court to ask for his son Ram, in order to get rid of some terrible Rakshasas in the forest where he lives.
I: What are Rakshasas?
L.: I don't really know. Never seen one myself. But from what I've heard, they are terrible creatures who eat the flesh of humans. They have no pity, no remorse. Wherever they go, dead and mutilated bodies pile up as high as the sky. Obviously, Dashrath was very reluctant to send his most beloved son out on a mission like that. When Sumitra heard, she went to him, ablaze with indignition. She not only got him to send Ram with the sage, but also ordered her own son Lakshman to accompany his brother, saying that it is the duty of the kings to protect their people. Lakshman must have been, what, 15 years old at the time? And she didn't flinch, not for a second. I daresay, if Ram and Lakshman had not been allowed to go, she would have taken up bow and arrow herself and gone off.
I: So did Ram and Lakshman succeed in their task?
L.: Well, both the princes were very brave.....
I: You mean they died?
L.: No. I mean that they might be very brave, but they are only boys, and the rakshasas are very strong.
I: So? (Somehow this conversation was really scaring me)
L.: So I don't really know the end of the story, nor can I predict it. I've heard snatches here and there, about them fighting a couple of rakshasas, but that's it. If you want to know the whole story, just wait four more days.
I: Why? Is your sister coming to Mithila?
L.: No. But the princes are.
Later
I: 'fire of a thousand suns', huh?
Spirit: I am with everyone. Some listen to me more than others. Like Sumitra.
I: And what exactly are these rakshasas?
S.: Humans, like you, but so corrupted by evil that they barely resemble who they're supposed to be.
I: Do they really eat human flesh?
S.: Some do. They believe that it makes them stronger. Otherwise, they just slaughter entire villages for fun. The forest-folk are terrified of them. That's why the sage Vishwamithra went to Dashrath for help.
I: So, did the princes succeed?
S.(smiling): Why don't you wait four days? I think Vishwamithra intends Ram to try out Shiva's bow.
I could feel my cheek burning again.
On Aliens
I was just thinking- there is a very high probability that life exists somewhere out there in the universe, a good probability that it flourishes, a fair enough probability that they are at least as advanced as us, a decent probability that they are better than us technologically. Then why is it that we have not been contacted? I'll tell you why- they are hiding from us. They have to. Humans are known aggressors & conquerors. What do you think would have happened if we had discovered that Mars was inhabitable? We would have packed our bags and gone off to settle there. What would have happened if there was intelligent life there? We would have conquered and captured the poor guys and made them into lab-rats and slaves or worse. Think about it people - what happened when humans discovered America? If we can mete out that sort of a treatment to our fellow-humans, what would we do to an alien race?
All the horrible aliens we see in science fiction, are not really aliens. It's us. We are afraid that a technologically superior society would conquer us because that's what we would do to a less advanced society. We are the monsters, not them. It's time we thought about who we are, who we're meant to be, and what we've become. God's image! Yeah right!!!!
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